I have lovage plants, it is very easy to grow and shade-tolerant but I have never grown it from seed. Let me know what (preferably shade) plants you have to trade and maybe we can arrange a trade in the Spring.

I've grown it from seed by winter sowing. I've read people having difficulty getting it to germinate with indoor sowing. So it might like a freezing first.
I planted it out in the garden in decent soil, in full sun, and well mulched. It has done well, getting very big and bushy in it's second season. I think it will get even bigger next year!
Remy